MBB Head Coach David Riley

David Riley

At a Glance
Riley was named the 20th men’s basketball coach in Washington State history. Riley, the back-to-back Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year, agreed to a six-year contract and was formally introduced at a press conference Thursday, April 4. In his three seasons guiding Eastern Washington, Riley amassed a 62-38 (.600) overall record, with back-to-back Big Sky regular season titles and conference Coach of the Year honors the past two years.

Riley spent the last 13 years in Cheney, Washington, beginning as a graduate assistant, eventually being promoted to the role of head coach in 2021 after 10 seasons as an assistant in the program. During his time at EWU, the Eagles achieved unprecedented success, earning two trips to the NCAA Tournament and earning five Big Sky Conference MVP honors. As a player, Riley was a four-year starter and feared shooter at D-III Whitworth University in Spokane. He was born in Seattle and grew up on Stanford University’s campus in California. He graduated from Whitworth in 2011 with a degree in mathematical economics, then earned a master’s degree in physical education (sport administration) from Eastern in 2013.
 
Coaching Summary
  • 2024-present: Head Coach (Washington State)
  • 2021-24: Head Coach (Eastern Washington)
  • 2014-21: Assistant Coach (Eastern Washington)
  • 2011-14: Graduate Assistant / Director of Basketball Operations (Eastern Washington)
 
Coaching Accolades & Accomplishments
  • 2023-24 Big Sky Coach of the Year
  • 2022-23 Big Sky Coach of the Year
  • 2021-22 Joe B. Hall Award finalist (top D-I first year coach)
  • Five Big Sky MVPs (Jacob Wiley, 2016-17; Bogdan Bliznyuk, 2017-18; Mason Peatling, 2019-20; Tanner Groves, 2020-21; Steele Venters, 2022-23)
  • 14 First Team All-Big Sky selections (three as head coach)
  • Eight (8) Second Team All-Big Sky (four as head coach)
  • Two (2) Third Team All-Big Sky
  • Six (6) Honorable Mention All-Big Sky (one as head coach)
  • One (1) Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year (Kim Aiken Jr., 2020-21)
  • One (1) Big Sky Top Reserve (Tyler Robinson, 2020-21)
  • Four (4) Big Sky Freshman of the Year (two as head coach; Ethan Price, 2021-22; LeJuan Watts 2023-24)
  • Two (2) Big Sky Tournament MVPs
  • Nine (9) Big Sky All-Tournament Team
 
Playing Summary
  • 2007-11: Whitworth University (Division III; Spokane, Wash.)
 
Playing Accolades
  • Three-time All-NWC (2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11)
  • D3hoops.com Third Team All-Region (2010-11)
  • 1,664 points (14.6 per game), 4th in Whitworth history at time of departure. 43.1% 3PT shooting.